EVALUATION OF ACTIVITY OF AN ANTISEPTIC ON SKIN FLORA UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (3) , 203-210
Abstract
The bacterial flora of the skin of the forearm was studied in 15 normal subjects by a modified Williamson and Kligman technique. The quantitative results were in agreement with those found in other laboratories which indicates the reproducibility of the method. The action of an antiseptic containing 0.5% of benzalkonium chloride was studied under 3 conditions of single application of the antiseptic for 5 consecutive days and for 24 h after the application of an occlusive dressing. The bacterial flora of the skin showed marked quantitative variations from 1 subject to another and, in the same subject, from 1 time to another. Evaluation of the activity of an antiseptic should take into consideration these physiological variations and also various conditions of use in practice. Factors leading to standardization of the methods and the criteria of evaluation of the activity of antiseptics on the skin are also discussed.

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